Valentino

Mother fainted when he died
because of those Arabian nights
they spent together in her dreams.
Revived, she held her sheik pillow tight.

Me? I bided my time
with greasy meat and boiled potatoes
next to Father in the kitchen
watching Mother pour him his beer

for supper served at 6:15,
fifteen minutes before The News
and sitcoms later on TV
with two more beers to help him sleep
until he got up at 5:00 a.m.,

the same as my Hank does every day,
except for a clean shirt, shower, and shave
as I tuck the children in for sleep
and Hank uncorks a fine Shiraz

to let it breathe before the fire.
paired with a tray of Medjool dates
we'll savor later with Gibran
before our magic carpet ride.